In-vehicle Christmas tree for drag racing starting and timing

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment an in-vehicle Christmas tree for drag racing starting and timing where a prior art drag tree is not available or convenient. An accelerometer integrated circuit provides means to synchronize all tree devices in a race and to detect a change in motion and / or acceleration instead of mounted stationary switches for pre-stage and stage positions of the prior art. This enables drivers the option of starting a drag race from a rolling start and / or to have predetermined distances offsetting a vehicle's starting position in relation to the other participating vehicle or vehicles, while simultaneously providing false start detection. The present invention comprising a tree device (10) attached to a vehicle's windshield by windshield mount assembly (8) and fastener (9). A control unit (17) is supplied with power from the vehicle through power cable (19) or by a replaceable internal battery (44). The tree device is controlled by the driver with remote unit (12) by pressing set button (15) to either initiate a race or respond to a race initiated by a competitor through a wireless communication transceiver on control unit circuit board (18). The control unit provides a means for wireless communication allowing to race more than two vehicles at a time.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]NoneFEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]NoneSEQUENCE LISTING[0003]NoneFIELD OF THE INVENTION[0004]The present invention relates to a drag racing starting and timing system, and more particularly, for an in-vehicle drag racing starting and timing system that allows drag racing when a prior art drag tree is not available and enables starting and timing for different styles of drag racing.DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART[0005]Prior art drag tree is referred to as a Christmas tree drag race starter and timer device for the starting of two race vehicles. The Christmas tree drag race starter and timer device is referred to as simply a drag tree. A drag tree is a stationary mounted identical double row of vertical lights, one row for each lane / driver and is placed on the track positioned between and in front of the two racing vehicles. The drag tree in FIG. 1 includes pre-stage lights 1, stage lights 2, sequencing lights 3, start light 4, and foul light 5...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]In accordance with one embodiment the present invention has for a general object the provision of a Christmas tree for drag racing starting and timing and more specifically, for an in-vehicle drag racing starting and timing system that is installed and utilized in or on the race vehicle comprises a tree device, control unit, and remote unit, allowing the possibility of drag racing where no prior art tree device is available or convenient.

[0016]It is another purpose and / or objective to provide a system and method of starting and timing for drag racing for which the control unit can be powered by a plurality of power sources. Power can be supplied from the race vehicle or from an internal replaceable battery. This allows the possibility of drag racing vehicles where no external power sources are available for prior art tree devices.

[0019]It is yet another purpose and / or objective to provide a system and method of starting and timing for drag racing incorporating a means to eliminate the possibility of false starts due to both drivers having visual access to both sides of the drag tree simultaneously. The present invention is equipped with only one set of sequence LED's and one start LED that relates only to the vehicle it is mounted in.

Problems solved by technology

Another problem of the prior art drag tree is vehicles are limited to starting from a stationary condition.

Due to track condition or other factors such as vehicle horsepower, a vehicle's ability to get traction becomes an issue causing the vehicle to not run consistent.

The prior art drag tree has no timing and starting provisions for allowing a rolling start and / or detecting a false start during this type of start condition.

Yet another problem of the prior art drag tree presents itself when more than two drivers want to drag race at a time.

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